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Cats Symptoms Cure |
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Symptoms Cats
> Broken Tooth
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Broken Tooth
A broken tooth can become the cause of serious medical problems in
a cat if it is neglected. When the inside chamber of the tooth (pulp cavity,
chamber), which contains the blood supply and nerve, is exposed by
breakage, the tooth dies and may develop an abscess (localized infection)
around its root. Such localized infections may be associated with facial
swelling, pain, and reluctance to eat, chew, or pick up hard objects.
However, many cats show no specific signs of discomfort and the broken
tooth is found only incidentally on physical examination. Some cats
develop serious systemic bacterial infections from infected broken teeth,
so it is important always to examine the mouth for evidence of infected
teeth whenever the presence of any kind of bacterial infection is
diagnosed.
Some tooth fractures are very minor and do not expose the pulp
chamber or kill the tooth. They require no special veterinary care unless
there are sharp edges on the break that need to be smoothed. The more
usual type of break is severe enough to expose the pulp cavity. If this type
of break has been present for some time, a dark gray-black spot is seen in
the area normally occupied by the pulp. The surrounding part of the tooth
may be the normal creamy white color, or it may also be discolored pinkish
brown or gray. Should you notice a broken tooth at this stage, a
veterinarian’s examination is indicated but not urgent. A freshly broken
tooth with pulp exposure has a bright, reddish-pink pulp area that may
bleed if touched. This type of tooth injury calls for a veterinarian’s
examination within a few hours if an attempt to preserve the tooth’s vitality
is desired. Veterinarians with special training in dentistry will take steps to
seal the freshly exposed pulp chamber in the hope that the broken tooth will
survive without abscessation.
Since it is relatively rare for a cat owner to discover a freshly broken
tooth, the more usual treatments administered are extraction or root canal
therapy. Cats tolerate tooth extraction well since, unlike humans, their teeth
have little tendency to migrate out of their normal position when an
opposing tooth is removed. Root canal therapy is performed when tooth
preservation is important for cosmetic or functional reasons. Ask your
veterinarian for more information if you think your cat may require treatment
for a broken tooth.
Foreign object in mouth
Cats who have gotten foreign objects stuck in their mouths usually
paw at their mouths and make unusual movements with their lips and
tongues. They may make gagging motions and drool, but do not always do
so. Try not to get excited if you think your cat has something stuck in his or
her mouth. Try to reassure and calm your cat, then perform a thorough
mouth examination in good light. Be sure to examine the area of the mouth
around the molars thoroughly; look under the tongue, at the soft and hard
palates, and far into the back of the mouth to the pharynx. The most
common objects you may find are sewing needles and thread, pieces of
string wrapped around the tongue or teeth, and small pieces of bone (e.g.,
splintered chicken bones). If you see the foreign body, grasp it with your
fingertips or tweezers and remove it quickly and cautiously to avoid injury
to yourself. If your cat is uncooperative or if you can’t find anything but the
signs persist, you will have to have your cat examined by a veterinarian.
Dental Tartar
Dental tartar is hard, white, yellow, or brown material on your cat’s
teeth.
Gingivitis
Red or bleeding gums may be signs of gingivitis. For more
information. Gingivitis not responding to home treatment as discussed in
these sections needs to be examined by a veterinarian. Some cats seem
abnormally prone to gingivitis, and some cases are difficult (sometimes
impossible) to treat successfully even with expert veterinary help.
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